The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was established in 1997 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to defending or promoting press freedom around the world, especially in the face of danger. It is the only award of its kind given to journalists within the United Nations system. The prize is named in honor of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of his newspaper’s office in 1986. Funding for the prize comes from the Guillermo Cano Isaza Foundation in Colombia, the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation in Finland, the Namibia Media Trust, Democracy & Media Foundation Stichting Democratie & Media in the Netherlands, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
UNESCO, founded in 1945, is responsible for promoting peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, communication and information. With 194 member states and operating offices in 54 countries across the globe, it employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees thousands of World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks as well as networks of Creative Cities that promote learning and sustainability. Additionally, UNESCO supports over 13 thousand associated schools and institutions that provide training and research opportunities.
The Director-General of UNESCO since 2017 is Audrey Azoulay who leads this organization with a clear mission: building peace by fostering understanding among nations through education and communication. The guiding principle of UNESCO as outlined in its constitution from 1945 is that “peace must be built on understanding”. By promoting education
